Digital combined apparatus, control method therefor, and digital combined apparatus system

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a digital combined apparatus including an operation panel, a reader/writer which writes/reads data on/from a recording medium, and a controller which controls the operations of the operation panel and reader/writer. When the reader/writer reads out ID information of the user from the recording medium on which at least the ID information is recorded, the operation panel displays a user authentication window which prompts the user to input a password for identifying himself or herself.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A technique of operating a conventional copying machine or thelike is disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-175225.

[0002] A copying machine disclosed in this reference reads an IC card ormagnetic card which holds ID information representing a user. Thedigital combined apparatus can identify the user and allows the user touse it. This copying machine performs charging management for each useron the basis of the read ID information.

[0003] A user registers address information such as an E-mail address orFAX number in the copying machine, and another user can use the addressinformation.

[0004] The conventional copying machine suffers the following problems.

[0005] (1) When address information is saved not in the copying machinebut in the IC card or magnetic card of the user, another user cannot usethe address information and has to input the same address information tothe copying machine.

[0006] (2) When address information is saved in the copying machine, theaddress information may be used by another user who should not use it,violating the privacy.

[0007] (3) If an IC card or magnetic card is stolen, an “unauthorized”user may use the copying machine to charge the authentic user.

[0008] (4) When the user wants to transfer a file in a user's clientpersonal computer (to be referred to as a client PC hereinafter) to thecopying machine and print out the file outside his/her home, he/shecannot easily refer to an address book registered in the copying machineon the client PC. Even if the user can use the address book, the addressbook may be known by a third person, resulting in poor security.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a digitalcombined apparatus (MFP; Multi-Function Printer) capable of solving theabove-described processing problems and security problems, a controlmethod therefor, and a digital combined apparatus system.

[0010] A digital combined apparatus according to the present inventioncomprises an operation panel, a reader/writer which writes/reads dataon/from a recording medium, and a controller which controls operationsof the operation panel and the reader/writer,

[0011] wherein when the reader/writer reads out ID information of a userfrom the recording medium on which at least the ID information isrecorded, the operation panel displays a user authentication windowwhich prompts the user to input a password for identifying the user.

[0012] It is also possible that the digital combined apparatus furthercomprises a memory which stores data, and that the operation paneldisplays the user authentication window, the controller collates apassword input on the operation panel in accordance with the userauthentication window with an authentic password saved in the memory inadvance, and if the input password is determined to be authentic, thedigital combined apparatus can be operated.

[0013] A digital combined apparatus system according to the presentinvention comprises at least one digital combined apparatus, and aserver which is connected to the digital combined apparatus via anetwork and has a memory,

[0014] wherein the server collates a password input on an operationpanel with an authentic password stored in the memory, and upondetermining that the input password is authentic, outputs an instructionto a controller so as to allow operating the digital combined apparatus.

[0015] When the server determines that the input password is authentic,a user having the password can be billed for a subsequent job performedby the digital combined apparatus.

[0016] It is also possible that address information representing atransmission destination, and available/unavailable informationrepresenting whether another user can use the address information areinput on the operation panel, the memory stores the address informationand the available/unavailable information, and the controller permits orinhibits use of the address information by another user in accordancewith the available/unavailable information.

[0017] It is also possible that the digital combined apparatus systemcomprises at least two digital combined apparatuses, address informationrepresenting a transmission destination input on the operation panel ofone digital combined apparatus is saved in the memory of the server, andthe address information can be used in the other digital combinedapparatus connected via the network.

[0018] It is also possible that the digital combined apparatus systemfurther comprises a client PC connected to the network, and when theserver determines that the password input on the operation panel of thedigital combined apparatus is authentic, address information saved inthe client PC of a user is loaded into the digital combined apparatusand can be used in the digital combined apparatus.

[0019] It is also possible that the digital combined apparatus systemfurther comprises a client PC connected to the network, and when theserver determines that the password input on the operation panel of thedigital combined apparatus is authentic, a data file saved in the clientPC of a user is loaded into the digital combined apparatus and can beused in the digital combined apparatus.

[0020] According to the present invention, a method of controlling adigital combined apparatus having an operation panel, a reader/writerwhich writes/reads data on/from a recording medium, and a controllerwhich controls operations of the operation panel and the reader/writer,comprises the steps of

[0021] causing the reader/writer to read out ID information of a userfrom the recording medium on which at least the ID information isrecorded, and

[0022] causing the operation panel to display a user authenticationwindow which prompts the user to input a password for identifying theuser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing the schematic arrangement ofa digital combined apparatus according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0024]FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the configuration of asystem in which the digital combined apparatus is connected to a clientPC via a network;

[0025]FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a window display in thedigital combined apparatus;

[0026]FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation sequence in thedigital combined apparatus; and

[0027]FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing information contentsexchanged between the digital combined apparatus and a recording medium.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0028] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be describedin detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0029]FIG. 1 shows the schematic arrangement of a digital combinedapparatus 10 according to the embodiment. The digital combined apparatus10 comprises a digital combined apparatus main body 1 having acontroller 20, a memory 21, and an operation panel 6 including a touchpanel 4 and LCD panel 5 serving as a means for setting various functionsand operation contents by the user; and a reader/writer 2 which writesdata on a recording medium 3 such as an IC card, magnetic card, memorycard, barcode-printed card, or wireless unit and reads recorded data.

[0030] The controller 20 controls the operations of the digital combinedapparatus main body 1 and reader/writer 2. The memory 21 saves variousdata such as user ID information and address information to be describedlater. The reader/writer 2 has a connector for electrically connectingan IC card, magnetic card, and memory card, a means for inserting andreading a barcode-printed card, and a means for transmitting/receivingdata to/from a wireless unit in a noncontact state.

[0031] The digital combined apparatus may be used singly or as a systemconstructed by connecting via a network 14 at least one digital combinedapparatus 10 and a plurality of user's client PCs 11, 12, . . . , asshown in FIG. 2.

[0032] In some cases, two or more digital combined apparatuses 10, 13, .. . may be connected via the network 14 to construct a system.

[0033] Data necessary to operate the digital combined apparatuses 10,13, . . . may be managed by the digital combined apparatuses 10, 13, . .. or integrally managed by a server 15 which is connected to the network14 and has a memory 15 a.

[0034] The operation contents of the digital combined apparatus 10controlled by the controller 20 will be explained with reference to FIG.3 showing the transition of the image display and FIG. 4 showingoperation contents as a flow chart.

[0035] In an initial state, the window display on the operation panel 6of the digital combined apparatus 10 provides menu buttons for selectingany one of, e.g., “copy”, “FAX”, “mail”, and “scan”, as shown as acommon menu window 7 in FIG. 3.

[0036] In this state, in step S10, the reader/writer 2 detects therecording medium 3 of each user.

[0037] In step S12, the reader/writer 2 reads ID information which iswritten on the recording medium 3 and identifies the user.

[0038] Instep S14, read of ID information triggers transition of thewindow display on the operation panel 6 from the common menu window 7 toa user authentication window 8 which prompts the user to input apassword, as shown in FIG. 2. The user authentication window 8corresponds to a password input popup window, and the user inputs apassword set in advance.

[0039] In step S16, the controller 20 collates the input password withan authentic password saved in the memory 21 within the digital combinedapparatus main body 1.

[0040] If YES in step S16, the controller 20 allows the use of thedigital combined apparatus 10 in step S18, and displays a user personalmenu window 9 customized for each user on the operation panel 6. Theuser personal menu window 9 is customized on the basis of the pastoperation log of each user. The user personal menu window 9 providesmenu buttons for selecting general processes such as “copy”, “FAX”,“mail”, and “scan”, and menu buttons for selecting user processes suchas “edit a personal address book”, “refer to a common address book”,“refer to a personal PC address book”, “load a print job”, “edit andsave a user personal menu window”, and “refer to previous worksettings”.

[0041] Information for displaying the user authentication window 8 anduser personal menu window 9 is loaded from the memory 21 in the digitalcombined apparatus main body 1 in the use of the single digital combinedapparatus 10. When the digital combined apparatus 10 is used as anetwork-connected system, the information may be loaded from the memory21 within the main body 1 of the digital combined apparatus 10 or fromthe memory 15 a in the server 15 connected to the network 14.

[0042] If the user selects “edit a personal address book”, he/she caninput, save, or delete the personal address book in the window.

[0043] If the user selects “refer to a common address book”, he/she canselect whether or not to disclose the personal address book to thecommon address book. If the personal address book is disclosed to thecommon address book, the user inputs address information to be disclosedand available information. If the personal address book is notdisclosed, the user inputs undisclosed address information andunavailable information. The controller 20 performs processing of addingor not adding the address to the common address book in accordance withthe available or unavailable information.

[0044] If the user selects “refer to a personal PC address book”, he/shecan refer to an address book in the client PC of the user.

[0045] If the user selects “load a print job”, he/she can load data on aprint job set in advance.

[0046] If the user selects “edit and save a user personal menu window”,he/she can edit or save his/her menu window.

[0047] If the user selects “refer to previous work settings”, he/she canread out and refer to previous work settings.

[0048] The user is billed for various jobs executed by the user afterthe password is authenticated.

[0049] If the recording medium 3 is removed from the reader/writer 2,the window displays returns from the user personal menu window 9 to thecommon menu window 7.

[0050] If NO in step S16, the controller 20 inhibits the use of thedigital combined apparatus 10 in step S20.

[0051] Data on the above-mentioned personal address book, common addressbook, personal PC address book, print job, user personal menu windowediting results, and previous work settings are saved in the memory 21within the digital combined apparatus main body 1, or saved andintegrally managed in the memory 15 a of the server 15 connected via thenetwork 14 to the digital combined apparatuses 10, 13, . . .

[0052] When these data are integrally managed by the server 15,addresses saved in the common address book can be commonly used in aplurality of digital combined apparatuses 10, 13, . . . connected viathe network 14.

[0053]FIG. 5 shows information contents exchanged between the digitalcombined apparatus main body 1 and the recording medium 3.

[0054] The recording medium 3 of each user must hold at least IDinformation of the user as necessary information INF1.

[0055] When the recording medium 3 is a writable/readable IC card ormemory card, information on the past job log of each user is saved asinformation INF2 necessary to display the user personal menu window.When the recording medium 3 is not any writable/readable medium, theinformation INF2 is saved in the memory 21 within the digital combinedapparatus 10 or the memory 15 a within the server 15.

[0056] Information INF3 on various job settings may be saved as anoption in the recording medium 3.

[0057] User ID information and another information are transferred fromthe recording medium 3 to the digital combined apparatus main body 1.The controller 20 in the digital combined apparatus main body 1recognizes the user ID information on the basis of the transferredinformation, and sets the user personal menu window on the operationpanel 6, and loads and updates the job setting log. Of these pieces ofinformation, necessary information such as data on the user personalmenu window and the job setting log is transferred from the controller20 to the memory 21 where the information is stored. Note that thesepieces of information are not necessarily stored in the memory 21 withinthe digital combined apparatus 10. These pieces of information may besaved in the recording medium 3 of each user and loaded from therecording medium 3.

[0058] Information on the work setting log is supplied from thecontroller 20 to the recording medium 3 where the information iswritten.

[0059] When the recording medium 3 is an IC card or memory card, datacan be written on the recording medium 3 by using the digital combinedapparatus 10 or a user's client PC, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), orthe like. When the recording medium 3 is a magnetic card, a magneticcard reader/writer must be used. For a barcode-printed card, a barcodeprinting device must be used.

[0060] In the user personal menu window 9, an address book which isregistered to a personal address book by a user and disclosed to thecommon address book can be used by another user.

[0061] The user personal menu window 9 can provide personal PC addressbooks stored in the user's client PCs 11, 12, . . . which are connectedvia the network 14. The personal PC address books can be referred to,loaded into the digital combined apparatuses 10, 13, . . . , and printedout.

[0062] To realize this service, a common address book must be createdand managed in a folder shared between the user's client PCs 11, 12, . .. which are connected via the network 14.

[0063] If the user selects “edit a personal address book” describedabove, he/she can edit the window. The editing results are saved in thememory 21 within each digital combined apparatus main body 1, or savedand integrally managed in the memory 15 a of the server 15 connected tothe digital combined apparatus 10 via the network 14.

[0064] When the editing results are integrally managed by the server 15,the user personal menu window 9 can also be used by other digitalcombined apparatuses 13, . . . connected via the network 14.

[0065] If the user selects “refer to previous work settings” describedabove, he/she can refer to previous work settings in the user personalmenu window 9. Information on work settings is saved in the memory 21within each digital combined apparatus main body 1, or saved andintegrally managed in the memory 15 a of the server 15 connected via thenetwork 14.

[0066] When the work settings are integrally managed by the server 15,work settings performed in a plurality of digital combined apparatuses10, 13, . . . which are connected via the network 14 are also managed.The use of previous work settings can increase the efficiency ofperforming the same work settings or similar work settings.

[0067] The user may be inhibited from using, e.g., various functions andaddresses of the digital combined apparatus 10. In this case,information on available functions and unavailable functions is saved inthe memory 21 within the digital combined apparatus main body 1, orsaved and integrally managed in the memory 15 a of the server 15connected via the network.

[0068] According to the above-described embodiment, user ID informationwritten on a recording medium is read by the reader/writer of thedigital combined apparatus. This triggers automatic display of a userauthentication window as a popup window which prompts the user to inputa password. Only after the user inputs an authentic password, he/she canuse the digital combined apparatus. As a result, the personalinformation, address book, and charging information of each user can beprotected.

[0069] A file stored in a user's client PC which is connected to thedigital combined apparatus via a network can be processed in the digitalcombined apparatus via the network, or used for processing such asprintout or FAX transmission.

[0070] A personal PC address book managed in a client PC can be referredto on the screen of the digital combined apparatus 10, eliminating theneed for any address input.

[0071] The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and does notlimit the present invention. The present invention can be variouslymodified within the technical scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A digital combined apparatus comprising anoperation panel, a reader/writer which writes/reads data on/from arecording medium, and a controller which controls operations of saidoperation panel and said reader/writer, wherein when said reader/writerreads out ID information of a user from the recording medium on which atleast the ID information is recorded, said operation panel displays auser authentication window which prompts the user to input a passwordfor identifying the user.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe digital combined apparatus further comprises a memory which storesdata, and said operation panel displays the user authentication window,said controller collates a password input on said operation panel inaccordance with the user authentication window with an authenticpassword saved in said memory in advance, and if the input password isdetermined to be authentic, the digital combined apparatus can beoperated.
 3. A digital combined apparatus system comprising at least onedigital combined apparatus disclosed in claim 2, and a server which isconnected to said digital combined apparatus via a network and has amemory, wherein said server collates a password input on an operationpanel with an authentic password stored in the memory, and upondetermining that the input password is authentic, outputs an instructionto a controller so as to allow operating said digital combinedapparatus.
 4. A system according to claim 3, wherein when said serverdetermines that the input password is authentic, a user having thepassword is billed for a subsequent job performed by said digitalcombined apparatus.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 2, whereinaddress information representing a transmission destination, andavailable/unavailable information representing whether another user canuse the address information are input on said operation panel, saidmemory stores the address information and the available/unavailableinformation, and said controller permits or inhibits use of the addressinformation by another user in accordance with the available/unavailableinformation.
 6. A system according to claim 3, wherein the digitalcombined apparatus system comprises at least two digital combinedapparatuses, address information representing a transmission destinationinput on the operation panel of one digital combined apparatus is savedin the memory of said server, and the address information can be used insaid other digital combined apparatus connected via the network.
 7. Asystem according to claim 3, wherein the digital combined apparatussystem further comprises a client PC connected to the network, and whensaid server determines that the password input on the operation panel ofsaid digital combined apparatus is authentic, address information savedin said client PC of a user is loaded into said digital combinedapparatus and can be used in said digital combined apparatus.
 8. Asystem according to claim 3, wherein the digital combined apparatussystem further comprises a client PC connected to the network, and whensaid server determines that the password input on the operation panel ofsaid digital combined apparatus is authentic, a data file saved in saidclient PC of a user is loaded into said digital combined apparatus andcan be used in said digital combined apparatus.
 9. A method ofcontrolling a digital combined apparatus having an operation panel, areader/writer which writes/reads data on/from a recording medium, and acontroller which controls operations of the operation panel and thereader/writer, comprising the steps of: causing the reader/writer toread out ID information of a user from the recording medium on which atleast the ID information is recorded; and causing the operation panel todisplay a user authentication window which prompts the user to input apassword for identifying the user.